lottiefox Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 OK, I've made it to a far old advanced age and have never been skiing..... A friend of mine is keen to go next Feb/March and I think it might be a bit of a fun. They are a pretty good skier and I am going to be left on the learning slopes falling over, which I don't mind. BUT, I want a place where there is a) good scope for beginners and likely to be other people falling over all the time b) plenty of other stuff to do as well as skiing in case I hate it. Any suggestions? I want a nice place to stay in as well, I like creature comforts. My other concern is that my knees are not the strongest bit of me. One of my kneecaps grinds and I avoid things like running bacause they hurt afterwards. I will probably check this out with the doc (did see him years ago about this and he recommended some operation but said it wasn't essential) but am I likely to be doomed if I try skiing? How hard is it on the knees? Would I benefit from knee supports and/or trying it out on a dry ski slope first? Thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rottenbend Posted November 20, 2006 Report Share Posted November 20, 2006 Lottie I guess you're looking at Europe not the States. The States is actually a very good place to learn but a long way to go to find you don't like Skiiing. I would try to go to quite a high resort in the Alps. The problem with most resorts is that the beginning slopes are usually at the bottom of the mountain (as you would expect) but can suffer from a lack of snow as a result. I find knee braces essential but make sure you get a good set. You don't need to spend a fortune but the brace needs to able to restrict lateral side-to-side movement to be effective. Try and get used to wearing boots and skis before you go and learn how to get up once you've fallen down. Can be very tricky and awkward. Knowing how to get you skis off after falling can be invaluable And always get some lessons from a ski school Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 Get some lessons from your 'local' snowdome. As close as you get to the real thing and you don't waste your holiday time pissing around with all the other numpties trying to learn and slowing you down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skifly Posted November 21, 2006 Report Share Posted November 21, 2006 skiing is not that bad on the knees as long as you dont try nail all the runs and at your level shouldnt be too bad. My dad has no cartlidge (sp?) in one of his knees and only wore a neoprene brace (not like my proper waterski jumping ones) so its just soft support, he did have a sore knee most of the time he was there but found that a can of ralgex, a can of freeze spray and a few beers he was all happy and thats for 9-4:30 skiing every day for 2 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Head for your nearest Xscape and get a beginners lesson on the real snow slopes they these have - you'll soon know how your knees feel and if you like skiing, without the outlay of a load of cash. Milton Keynes and Castleford are both good ones. Also from experience I'd be wary of going with good skiiers as a complete beginner - you won't see each other much if at all during the days (which might be a good thing depending on your point of view!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CabGirl Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 I went with a mixed group of about 12 friends for my first trip and loved every minute of it. I was only about 19! I don't think it matters if you don't see your friends until the evening as you can all swap (and embellish) stories over a glass of wine. We went to Courmayeur in Italy and I've just nicked this from the Mark Warner web site: Courmayeur is a relaxed, sophisticated town. It has an excellent snow record, backed up by one of the most impressive snow-making systems in the Alps - but that's only half the story. In Courmayeur food and shopping are taken as seriously as skiing. Mornings are leisurely, lunch is long, and evenings are spent strolling round the cobbled streets and chic shops, or sitting over a drink in the Via Roma, enjoying Italian life at its most stylish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Lottie - skiing is brilliant, you will love it If your knees are not the strongest part of you then skiing is definitely a better choice than snowboarding - very hard on the knees and wrists For a nice mix of piste for all levels including beginers I'd be tempted to go for a catered chalet in meribel - go there on the Eurostar ski train direct from Waterloo to Bourg St Maurice (non stop, no changes) then its only 30 mins up the mountain to the resort - no 2.5 hour transfers from the airport Have a go at the snowdome or somewhere similar, I wouldn't reccomend a dry slope, its much harder to learn on than real snow and gives you friction burns when you fall over Shout if you need any more info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanon_1980 Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 Lottie, I went skiing for the first time last January to Ischgl, in Austria. I went without ever getting lessons, which in retrospect was a mistake. I play a lt of sports and would consider myself very agile, so I thought Id fly thru the skiing. How wrong I was. The first 3 or 4 days were spent trying to stop, turn, slow down etc and to be honest I was sick of it. The last 2 days I went out and I decided to go for it, sh@t or bust, and everything just clicked. I was up and down the slopes like a looney. If i were you id get some lessons b4 you go, just so you wont be frustrated at the start of your hols and get a turn against it. Im off to Kitzbuhel on the 6th January and cannot wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted November 30, 2006 Report Share Posted November 30, 2006 Lottie, Sorry, bit late into this one. 100% good advice to have some lessons before you go. First day or 2 are just learning to get around and use the drag lift - all can easily be done on a dry slope. Also, dry slopes are harder to ski on than snow, so it is easier when you get there too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitchet Posted December 28, 2006 Report Share Posted December 28, 2006 Lottie, did you even get anthing booked for Feb/Mar 07 in the end? The Alps are still looking a bit bleak at the moment, but hopefully by Feb/Mar there should be enough powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanon_1980 Posted January 2, 2007 Report Share Posted January 2, 2007 Im meant to be going to Kitzbuhel on Saturday but being honest there doesn't seem to be much snow there. Dont know what to do ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 I learnt to ski in a resort called Seefeld in Austria, beautiful looking resort, great instructors. So much so that I want back the second time time I went. Flaine in France is also supposed to be good, as they have a different way of teaching you, by varying the length of skis that you use. I'm of to Tignes on Sunday - can't wait - first time I have been in a few years. Val Thorens in the three vallies is also good as its so high that its guaranteed snow. Not very pictureesque as there isn't a single tree there. Meribel also would be good as there is plenty of pres ski. can't go wrong with the three vallies. If you do good try to fly into Chambery as the transfers are a lot shorter, and they are generally Sunday flights. This means that you get to ski on the Saturday and its a lot quieter as its the main transfer day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I learnt to ski in a resort called Seefeld in Austria, beautiful looking resort, great instructors. So much so that I want back the second time time I went. Flaine in France is also supposed to be good, as they have a different way of teaching you, by varying the length of skis that you use. I'm of to Tignes on Sunday - can't wait - first time I have been in a few years. [/ QUOTE ] This the way most France resorts do it. Tignes will be a scream ! The Espace Killy is a fantastic place to ski - a good weeks skiing there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Tignes is great, but certainly not a beginners resort. I was boarding there last year and it's bitterly cold up on the glacier. Good run if the link to Val is open though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 You've got me well excited now. Yep that run into La Daille is great - former women's Olmpic downhill I think - double M if I remember correctly. Not a beginners resort though - as most runs seem to be under graded. They has been lots of snow if the last week, but it has been very cloudy and a few white outs in the last couple of days. Can be very bleak - I remember being on a a lift (Tommy's I think) just wishing I could get off. I had my face in my hands and could hardly even see my feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I learnt to ski in a resort called Seefeld in Austria, beautiful looking resort, great instructors. So much so that I want back the second time time I went. Flaine in France is also supposed to be good, as they have a different way of teaching you, by varying the length of skis that you use. I'm of to Tignes on Sunday - can't wait - first time I have been in a few years. [/ QUOTE ] This the way most France resorts do it. Tignes will be a scream ! The Espace Killy is a fantastic place to ski - a good weeks skiing there [/ QUOTE ] Seems like a good way to learn. Never had a lesson in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] You've got me well excited now. Yep that run into La Daille is great - former women's Olmpic downhill I think - double M if I remember correctly. Not a beginners resort though - as most runs seem to be under graded. They has been lots of snow if the last week, but it has been very cloudy and a few white outs in the last couple of days. Can be very bleak - I remember being on a a lift (Tommy's I think) just wishing I could get off. I had my face in my hands and could hardly even see my feet. [/ QUOTE ] Womens DH is a giggle (make sure it's clear before going straight down ) If you are feeling brave do the Olympic DH (le Face de Belvarde) - now that is fun... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] If you are feeling brave do the Olympic DH (le Face de Belvarde) - now that is fun... [/ QUOTE ] I'll look out for it - I'll check out a piste map - is it on the run into La Daille? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooby_simon Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Interactive map here Picture from above: It does not go into La Daille, that is the old DH. the Olympic DH is something else ! part way down it goes thru 2 large boulder! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khutula Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] part way down it goes thru 2 large boulder! [/ QUOTE ] Now that sounds scary. I have watched someone take a small child across a ridge and down the Grand Couloir in Courcheval - now that looked proper scary, it between two rocks faces, and the ridge that you need to traverse isn't much wider than your skis - and a shear drop both sides - should be a brown run Thanks for the info Simon - great maps too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 Went skiing for the first time last week and we went to a resort called Nendaz which is near Verbier in Switzerland. Had some private lessons and these were 110% invaluable. The resort had lots of small slopes to learn on and some really lovely scenery. The town was not outrageously expensive either (£3 for a pint). Loads of snow there at the moment. Hated the first day but after day 2 it all clicked and I started skiing properly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted January 9, 2007 Report Share Posted January 9, 2007 ... and this is where I stayed. £1000 per week over new year too. Very reasonable and sleeps 9 (bit of a squeeze though). www.ownersdirect.co.uk then enter SZ25 into the property reference box at the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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